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Pastor's Message - December 2008

So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God. (Neh 6:15,16)

After 70 years of desolation, the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, under Nehemiah’s guidance and encouragement. When they had been completed, the Jews who were there could have felt comfortable and ready to settle down. They had accomplished their aim and were now safe from their enemies, having built a solid wall, with the blessing of the king of the empire. Even God was with them and they were able to build in super quick time. It would have been very easy to relax and take a ‘well earned’ rest for a while.

And the Levites … said: "Stand up and praise the LORD your God, who is from everlasting to everlasting. "
"Blessed be your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you. (Neh 9:5,6).

They did not do that however. Instead they gave their attention to The Word of God. They took seriously what it said and responded in obedience. They recognised where they had gone wrong as a nation and repented of their disobedience, recommitting themselves to serving God. As they focussed on God they acknowledged that He is king over all things and thanked Him for His promises and for His faithfulness in keeping them. They were serious about following God wholeheartedly this time, despite the failures of the past and the resulting years of exile.

Nehemiah and those with him had persevered in their task despite severe opposition. Because they had persevered the walls had been rebuilt. They did not allow themselves to become complacent but dedicated themselves to following the God who could protect them and lead them into victory.

So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Cor 10:12 ,13)

We often face the same temptations that they must have faced. Both we can give up because of opposition and because the rubble around us seems too much to cope with, or, having built something of God's kingdom, we can become complacent and think that we need to rest a while, putting off the things that will lead us closer to Him.

Christmas can be a particular point of vulnerability where we are tempted to give up and give in to unhelpful excess, taking a break from God and suffering in our spiritual life because of that.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3 12-14)

Whether or not we feel that walls have been rebuilt in our lives, today is always the right day to rededicate ourselves to Him. By reading, meditating on and taking seriously the word of God, we renew our strength and give God opportunity to speak to us and strengthen our faith to keep going. By worshipping God and confessing the truth that He is King over all things, we keep things in a right perspective and ensure that we are not overwhelmed by the seeming enormity of the problems that can surround us. By thanking God for His love and faithfulness to all His promises we speak out truth, which is able to set us free to live as He intended.

Whatever our situations, past and present, let us not be held back by failures, or successes. Instead, let us confess our sins to Him. Today, if we hear His voice, let us recommit ourselves to following Him, to reading His word, worshipping Him and praying to Him. Remember that He loves us and He is faithful. If we ask Him to help us in this we know that He is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine.